It’s that time of year again when shopping for your spouse not only becomes challenging but a bit frustrating. Men can be hard to shop for, but we hope that this guide, specifically geared towards men, will help alleviate some of the holiday shopping stresses!

I absolutely love it when the Target Dollar Spot is filled with new and exciting items! Right now you can find things for Christmas, winter, stationary, fun stocking stuffers and accessories for colder weather. Check out all of the fun items I found while shopping at Target

Walkie Talkies- great stocking stuff idea

This slingshot came with one plush snowball, but you can snag some snowball backups!

There are several times of coffee/tea cups mixed in with some adorable stationary, notebooks, cards, folders and more.

They have a section geared specifically to wrapping paper, gift bags and cards.

They also have a section with cell phone cases, charging cords and more. The day I was there, this section had been pretty cleared out!

Target also had a great selection of warm weather gear including hats, scarves, gloves, blankets and socks! I snagged my three year old a neck warmer with a matching hat for $3 each!

We can’t forget to mention their section dedicated to arts and crafts stuff!

As parents, you want to do everything you can to protect your children. But what if something happens outside of your control? What if your child is born sick? What if after they get better, something else happens? What if you’re told that your six week old who was in NICU fighting through a pneumonia and another infection only weeks prior, was nearly deaf? It’s enough to make you literally sick to your stomach. You question God. You get angry. You’re devastated and heartbroken for your child. You question literally everything. Yet, as a parent, all of that questioning, all of the tears, the anger and devastation cannot bring your little ones hearing back.

This is my real life nightmare. My son, Beckett, was in NICU for ten days following his battle with pneumonia and an unidentified infection following his birth. At one point he was on 95% oxygen, was eating through a feeding tube, in an incubator and hooked up to multiple wires including an Iv. Once he was released, his father and I thought he was on the mend. We thought this little fighter of ours would now be able to relax and not fight as hard. When we left the hospital, his hearing was in question, but the doctors told us for a little boy who had been so sick and still had fluid in his ears, that this was normal. They reassured us that they thought he’d be just fine.

But he wasn’t. As a mother you start picking up on little warning signs. My son would jump sometimes but not when he really should have jumped. He wasn’t always responding to my voice, and the only way to soothe and calm him was by touch. The day he turned six weeks, we had an appointment with a hearing specialist who confirmed our worst fears. Our son was nearly deaf. On a level from normal to profound, he was severe to profound hearing loss. He could only hear really loud noises. My heart broke instantly. Hearing this was seriously the most devastating news I’ve ever received. Our little boy hadn’t been able to hear us for 6 weeks. He wouldn’t be able to without the use of hearing aids. I was so incredibly heartbroken for him. My husband didn’t take the news well either and for the majority of the day, we cried. We had this overwhelming sense of sorrow for our son, and with little answers, we didn’t know where to go from there.

For a couple who has gone through so much in the 9.5 years of being together, this was certainly one of the hardest. From the get go our relationship had been tested. There were some who didn’t support our relationship, we had the death of a parent, a devastating diagnosis of another parent, we were diagnosed with infertility and it took us 5 years, thousands of dollars, heartache, tears and a miscarriage to get pregnant with our two sons. Then, to top it off, our rainbow baby was born sick and now has severe hearing loss. How much can a couple take? How long until one, or both of them, reaches their breaking point?

I’m damn near there. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason but I’m so exhausted from all that our family has gone through. I’m so incredibly angry, and I’d be lying if I wasn’t slightly angry at God. Although I know he doesn’t cause such heartache, I still can’t help but question why it’s all happening to us. This isn’t a post to receive pity, but merely a way to express my heartache. I can’t help but think that, as a mother, I somehow was part of this happening to him. We don’t know what happened for sure, but possible explanations would include his illness and the medications he was on while in NICU. Until we meet with a specialist, it’s all speculation. We’re truly in the dark until Beckett is examined more closely, and that’s a horrible feeling.

How much can one little boy go through so early on in his life? How, as parents, can we not be angry? How can we overcome the immense amount of sadness and guilt we have? How much can only family endure?

I might not have all the answers to these questions, but I know that I will fight for the absolute best treatment for our son. God will equip Beckett’s father, brother and myself with the best tools to help give him a normal life. And our prayers will transform and help restore our faith and our broken hearts.

Beckett is such a blessing to us. We love him more than words can adequately relay. We’ll push through this latest season, and we will preserve.

I’ve been trying to put into words just how I feel about the Las Vegas mass shooting that occurred only days ago. I’m sad, I’m pissed off, I’m confused, and I’m scared. Watching the news coverage on the shooting and hearing witness reports nearly brings me to tears. It’s hard not to show emotion, am I right?

It’s a crazy world we live in today- filled with violence and full of hate. It’s almost as though you can’t go out in public without fearing for your life.

As a mother of two, I fear for their safety. I fear for their innocence and their lack of understanding the horrible events occurring daily all around us. If I could shield them from the violence within the world forever, I would, but I know that I cannot save them or shield them from all that is happening nor should I. I want them to know that there is love and there are good people within the world, but unfortunately for them to full understand that, they must see the evil.

I want my sons to know that hate does overpower love. I want them to know that humanity can still be saved, and I want them to know that if we all work together, collectively, then we can end the violence. But until we admit that the real issue has to do with gun control and having stricter gun laws, that violence will continue. I’m all for protecting yourself, and for those who feel like a gun is the best way to do that, I respect that. For those who say regulating gun laws isn’t the answer– you’re not seeing what is going on all around us. How can we justify all of the shootings that have occurred this year?

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 11, 716 gun related deaths this year already. Of that, 548 were children aged 0-11 and 2,442 were aged 12-17. How do we explain to our children that nearly anyone can own a gun or dozens like the Vegas shooting suspect? How can I explain that living in constant fear is the new norm? How can I, as a mother, confidently put my children on a school bus or send them on a class field trip knowing wholeheartedly that they’ll safely return home?

We can no longer hold onto an unrealistic sense of security when it comes to our safety. We cannot even go to a movie without fear of someone opening fire, and please don’t try to tell me that living in fear is silly, because this is reality! The violence that has occurred this year around the world is enough to make anyone fear for the safety of their family.

For those who say that the real issue isn’t about the easy accessibility of guns, you must be living under a rock. For those who say we have to only fear those who are different than us, you must realize that the offenders vary in backgrounds. We cannot focus on a certain ethnicity, a certain color or a certain gender because terrorists exists in all shapes, sizes and colors.

I wish I had the answers to end the violence. I wish I had the words to calm my anxious heart or confidently soothe my children if and when they ask about all the violence and hate going on around them. How can I tell them that I can keep them safe from the “monsters?” I cannot promise them anything at this point, and that, my friends, is terrifying.

I wish I had the answers.

I wish I could single handily end the violence. I wish I could end the hate. I wish I could end the discrimination and judgement. I wish I could tell my boys that this is only a phase and that world peace is right around the corner. I’d be lying if I said I had all of the answers or even that I was confident when answering then. My heart is heavy, my thoughts and prayers go out to those affected directly by the Vegas shooting and those affected indirectly. I pray for my boys who I pray will know a world filled with less hate, with less violence and more love.

We all grow up wanting to be successful. Success is measured differently for everyone, but most will agree that there are some habits that help define those who are most successful.

Here are 10 powerful habits to become wildly successful.

Money Management: There are a ton of resources available to help teach you how to successfully manage your money. One of my personal favorites is The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley. This book provides road maps of those who found their niches.

Speed Learning: Focus on reading 15-20 pages a day. It can be from a book designed to help you become more organized or designed to help you focus more. Whatever it is, spend time reading each day.

Set Goals: Write your goals down. Everything you wish to achieve should be written down and posted somewhere where you can view daily. Those who set goals are more likely to earn twice as much as those who don’t write down goals.

Wake up Early: Start waking up an hour earlier than you usually do. If you do the math, that’s 365 extra hours a year that you have to work towards the goals you have set for yourself.

Visualization: Those who are able to successfully visualize are more likely to achieve their goals. One book I found quite fascinating was Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain. Gawain explains how to use mental imagery as well as affirmations to produce positive changes in one’s life. The book contains exercises and meditations aimed at helping those seeking visualization obtain a more positive outlook on life, strengthened self-esteem, better health and relaxation.

Prioritize: Focus on the most important task or tasks first, then work on getting those done. Once you’ve done that, you’re able to work through your “to-do’s” more efficiently and quickly.

Diet and Exercise: By maintaining your diet and exercise, you’re equipped with more energy each day and it helps you maintain your health. When you’re feeling good, you’re much more likely to have the time and energy to work towards your goals. If you choose to ignore your health, you’ll lack energy and focus.

Network: If you want to be successful, spend time with those that are successful. You’ll learn valuable information from them while building your personal network. If you choose to hang out with individuals who are not driven and lack the goals you have set, it’s easy to fall into bad habits and lose focus.

Make a To-Do List: Make a to-do list each and every day with the things you need to get done for that day. If you’re unable to complete everything on that list, carry the undone items onto the next day’s to-do list and focus on those first.

Find a Mentor: Finding a mentor is a great resource for you to bounce ideas off of, learn from and grow from. Finding a mentor in your industry will help you thrive.

If you’re on a mission to be the best version of yourself and create success, it’s important to implement these habits into your life. These habits will help keep you focused, they’ll help you grow, and they’ll teach you an incredible amount of information!

Be humble. Be kind. Be Hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.

Since it’s my son’s last Easter as an only child, I found myself wanting to do a bit more for him for Easter. We plan on attending Easter church service and spending time with family as well as participating in some of the fun activities typically associated with Easter like Easter baskets, an Easter egg hunt and coloring Easter eggs.

I thought I’d give you a look inside my son’s Easter basket this year. I always try to include either a movie or book, an activity or something else fun along with candy and goldfish.

I got all my Easter goodies at Meijer and Target. I absolutely love the $1-$5 dollar section at Target!

Another year has come and gone, and somehow; in the blink of an eye you are now a BIG 3 year old!

This year, both dad and I wrote you a little note.

To my son, that in a blink of an eye is turning three years old. Having you in my life the past three years, has been nothing short of incredible. From being there at the very beginning and helping you with your every need: feeding, changing, dressing and carrying you to where you are right now in your life has been an amazin journey. You are now able to do all of these things on your own. You’re also able to communicate incredibly well, count, sing parts of songs, say your ABC’s and so much more. All of those things amaze me and also frighten me at the same time, because it means that you’re growing up so fast and someday you won’t need me to help you with every day tasks. So with all that being said, I am going to try my hardest to create more and more memories with you so that when the day comes for you to go off on your own I’m not left with an empty memory jar. (*The memory jar is a jar that your mom and I fill each year full of memories or milestones that have been made throughout the year that we write down and stick into the jar. At the end of the year, we pull them out and read them off one by one.) –Dad

Braxton, you’re so lucky to have the daddy that you have. He is such an incredible dad, and he loves you so much!

Happy birthday to my sweet boy! I cannot believe that you are three. Where in the world has the time gone? There aren’t any perfect words that adequately describe the amount of love I have for you.

You are so fearless and silly. You’re sensitive, thoughtful and you have such a huge heart. You’re curious and smart and always keep your father and I on our toes! You also do all the gross things little boys do like burping, farting and spitting.

You’re growing up so quickly before our eyes, and we’re trying our best to capture each and every memory! We’ve made so many incredible memories this year, and I’m so looking forward to the memories we will make this year especially as we see you transition from an only child to a big brother come September.

Some of my favorite memories include our multiple trips to Gull Meadows and the beach. Seeing you play in the sand and water was so fun! It was hard to pry you away! We made multiple trips to the Zoo because we all know how much you love feeding the giraffes. We made a ton of fun memories outside this past summer. We had a great 4th of July chasing hot air balloons and watching fireworks with family. We had bonfires, played in your kiddie pool, slid down your slip and slide and had endless water gun fights in the backyard. We ate a lot of ice cream and spent many many hours at the park swinging and sliding down the slides.

This winter involved lots of sledding and shoveling, since you genuinely love helping daddy shovel, and we even attempted to make a snow man. We threw lots of snowballs and went exploring through the woods as it snowed around us. Even though this winter was relatively mild, we thoroughly enjoyed what we did have.

We hit some pretty big milestones, too! You’re pretty much completely potty trained, you now sleep in a twin size big boy bed and have visited the dentist already with zero cavities! We redid your room just this week! You’re obsessed with listening to your brother/sister’s heartbeat and speak of them often. You’re talking in complete sentences (sometimes you swear…), you sing a ton of songs (especially Jingle Bells), help mommy and daddy with chores around the house, brush your own teeth and so much more. You’re in pre-preschool, and you’re so smart! You’re so independent these days, and it’s clear that we only have a little bit of time left where you will want our help with some things. That’ll be a sad day, so until then, we’ll offer to help whenever we can!

I’m so blessed to be your momma, and I’m so glad God chose you to be my little boy. You’ve taught me so much, and I only hope I can return the favor. You make me so proud each and every day, and I love you so much! -Mom

This past year was definitely one for the books, but this year is sure to be the BEST yet.

Happy THIRD Birthday, Braxton Leland! Mommy and Daddy love you so so so much!

Day in and day out, the same hustle and bustle of the day starts the same. The day always starts too soon, goes by too fast and it starts all over again in a matter of hours. It’s no surprise that during the busyness of life, we lose sight of what’s important. We also tend to focus on all of the bad things happening without realizing the lessons we are to learn from them. We don’t intentionally mean to do these things nor do we even see them coming. We are overwhelmed, tired, stressed out, too busy and not sure what to do about it all. It’s easy to get “lost” in the busyness of life

I have noticed that my life has changed a ton this year! I’ve started my own business, wrote a book that’s in the process of getting published (again), getting more involved and connected with my church and with Jesus. I’m also a mom who tries to keep my active toddler busy with little road-trips and getaways as well as with arts and crafts. Let us not forget that I’m also a wife to my husband of over 5 years. On top of that all, my husband and I struggle with infertility, and when we started trying for baby #2 we could never have imagined the difficult journey we’d be on this year.

I’ll touch on each of these segments in a few minutes, but the entire reason of this particular post is to share that when life gets busy, we MUST draw in the people closer to us instead of pushing them away. We need to prioritize and get ride of the things in our life that are holding us back or taking up delicate time. We need to turn to Jesus when times get hard and share with everyone how great HE is and how HE has provided and loved us through all of the ups and downs of life. He will see us through the bad as well as the good and provide insight and lessons along the way. Because of His unwavering love and support, I’m an entirely different person than I was this time last year. I’m an entirely different person that I was in June. I’m OK with that. I’m more than OK with that as I’m a BETTER version of myself.

Now, let me share with you some of the things I’ve learned this year.

Starting a Business is Hard

We live in time that enables anyone who has a dream, to pursue it. For some, it’s an easy transition, but for some it’s hard. Since I started my business, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gotten burned from customers who don’t pay for the hard work that I have done. I’ve trusted too much, and I’ve let some people walk all over me. I’ve even “fired” customers. Let me tell you something, those things have taught me how to be a better person, a better business owner and has provided me with the knowledge to be a better business partner. I know what I need to do to succeed, and I’m doing it.

Write Your Heart Out

In July, I self-published my first children’s book. It took a ton of time and energy to do so, but again I learned a lot. Nothing great comes to those who sit back and expects greatness to unfold. I stayed up late at night and woke up early in the morning to write and edit my book time and time again. I found my own illustrator and worked with her on the illustrations to ensure that my story was coming alive through her work. I had a publishing company just pick up the book, and it’ll be “re-published” through them within 90 days. One thing I’ll offer up is that when you have the time to write, do it. Even if it’s only for a few minutes here and there, that extra bit of time with add up. As I work on my novel, I understand the importance of finding time.

Connect with Other Alike People

In January, I made the commitment (on my own terms) to be a faithful servant and follower of Christ. I was baptized when I was 11, but hadn’t fully received Christ. I was young and, at that time, hated going to Church. As an adult, I figured out that I was missing something. I was missing Him, so I took it upon myself to get re-acquainted with Him. I’m currently going through Growth Track at my church, Radiant Church, and I plan on getting more involved in the Church. On top of that, I’ve started an individual Bible study as well as started attending my second group Bible study with some lovely ladies. This group is incredible. I also realize how important it is to find alike-minded individuals. I have some friends that I’ve been friends with through the years, but it’s time to look beyond that and expand my “horizons” as it pertains to finding additional friends. I plan on joining another Bible study group through my Church this fall in order to fill a gap I know that I have.

Be Present in your Child’s Life

It’s easy to let the busyness of life take a toll on you as a parent. I’ve made it a point to get more and more involved in my young son’s life. I’ve always been VERY involved, but for those who know our background, we spoil our son because we understand that he might be our only child. Instead of hanging out at home, both Jason and I have been getting him out and about exploring new things. He is such a smart little boy, and we are feeding his curiosity the best way that we can. When we’re home with him, we are reading with him, teaching him new things, going on walks, playing outside and doing tons of arts and crafts. Parents, never get too busy to spend time with your children. Time flies by! I certainly don’t want to miss a thing in my little boy’s life.

Be Your Spouse’s Best Friend and Biggest Fan

Jason and I are both so incredibly busy. Jason works a ton of hours, and we tend to cross paths sometimes. Occasionally I travel for work and can be gone for days. One thing that has grown our marriage is our communication. We are pretty darn good communicators, and despite everything our relationship has been through since the very beginning of it, we have grown into mature individuals. We continue to grow each and every day. We work at our marriage. We understand the importance of sex in a marriage. We understand the importance of alone time. More importantly we understand that marriage is hard. It’s not a walk in the park. We will have our differences and our challenges. We will experience pain and heartache. BUT, we will also experience joy. The respect I have for my husband is indescribable. He is my best friend. He is my BIGGEST fan. He is the father to our miracle baby and what an incredible father he is! Tell your spouse every day how much you love them, appreciate them, respect them and cherish them. Instead of putting your spouse and your marriage on the back-burner, choose to work at it every day. Every damn day.

Infertility

I’ve said it once, and Ill say it again: Infertility is TOUGH. It tests you on an individual level as well as tests your marriage. Jason and I have never felt so helpless in a situation. We want nothing more to have a second child. We tried for two years before we miraculously conceived naturally. I’d be lying if I said that we have always been strong through our infertility journey. One thing I can say is that we have never pushed blame onto the other spouse. Rather we have both claimed responsibility. After our failed IVF in July, instead of letting that unfortunate news tear us apart, it brought us closer. The last 5 years of our life together has been consumed by infertility. It seems like we’re always talking about infertility. Our infertility journey has kept us busy, but it has also brought us closer as a husband and wife. It’s made us even more thankful for what we DO have: our beautiful son, and it has brought us closer in our faith.

Life can be busy. It can be chaotic. It can be incredibly messy, but instead of letting the busyness of life impact us in a negative way, we must learn through it all. Everything that we go through in life is meant to teach us a lesson. We must not harden because of our trials, but rise up.

This is important to remember…

One last thing, to my spouse..when I seem busy, overwhelmed or lost in thought, just know that I appreciate you. I appreciate your encouragement, your faith in me and the love you have for me daily. Thank you for understanding how important it is to me to follow my dreams. I hope along the way you follow yours more as well. All my love, D